Mold and mold spores exist everywhere, both indoors and outdoors, and the fungus needs only moisture and warm temperatures to thrive. This is an obvious issue in central Florida given our hot and humid weather conditions. But is mold really an issue for homeowners to be concerned about, or is it all just hype?
According to the documentary film “MOLDY,” 28 percent of US citizens are genetically susceptible to health issues related to mold. Yet, almost fifty percent of all homes in the United States have some form of mold contamination. This data highlights how important it is to have mold inspection and testing done if you see signs of mold or even suspect that there could be mold in your home.
What Issues Are Caused by Mold?
Many health issues can be attributed to mold in the home. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Some people, such as those with allergies to molds or with asthma, may have more intense reactions.” Other negative health effects like memory loss and lethargy have been suggested but not yet proven.
Mold can also cause damage to property. Indoors, mold can damage construction materials like drywall and wood as well as destroy personal items. Outside, mold damage can come in the form of damage to stucco, brick, concrete block, and wood. In essence, mold’s job is to decompose matter, and it does not discriminate in its efforts at performing its job.
Do I Need a Mold and Mildew Inspection?
Because mold can be hazardous to health and property alike, it is always best to contact a mold expert if:
- You see green or black mold
- Mold continues to return after removal
- Mold appears in several places at once
- There is a moldy or musty smell in your home
- It feels humid inside your home or if the house has been vacant for a long time
- There have been roof leaks, plumbing leaks, or other water intrusion issues
A mold inspection can determine if there is mold in your home and identify the source. A mold specialist can perform mold testing and mold detection, and the mold assessment will explain what is needed to remedy the situation.
What Happens in a Mold Inspection?
The first step a professional mold inspector will take is to do a visual inspection. Are there visible signs of mold?
However, mold likes to hide in dark, damp places. As such, it is not always in plain view, so a mold inspection specialist may use technology to detect mold and also to find the sources of water that are allowing the mold to grow.
Depending on the specifics of your mold issue, some mold inspectors will take samples that are sent to a lab, although this is not always necessary.
Once mold and its source are identified, the next step is a plan for remediation. The mold inspector should explain what is causing the mold, how the source of water or dampness can be repaired or replaced, and what will be required to remove the mold and ensure that it does not return.
What Happens after a Mold Inspection?
Once the issue and the source have been identified, the next steps depend on the severity of the situation in your home. Mold professionals will disinfect surfaces as needed, from walls to furniture to personal belongings indoors and building materials if the mold problem is outside.
Mold can be difficult, if not impossible, to remove. If it is not completely eliminated, however, it will likely return. This means that mold remediation must be very thorough, with cleaning and disinfecting of any surface that might be harboring mold. Mold professionals have a variety of procedures to eliminate fungus, bacteria, and mold colonies.
In some cases, advanced containment practices may be needed. Negative air chambers isolate mold contaminated areas with enclosures and negative air pressure, since airflow helps mold to spread. Air filtrations systems may be used to capture the invisible mold spores that are floating in the air. Dynamic air cleaners and HEPA vacuums might also be used to help clean the air.
After interior items are cleaned and sanitized, deodorizing helps remove the odors caused by mold.
Mold can cause damage to walls, flooring, and other materials inside a home. Additionally, the mold remediation process may require that some of these items be removed to ensure that the mold does not return. Any damaged or removed structural items will need to be repaired or replaced.
Why Should You Choose Urgent Restoration of Winter Haven and Lakeland?
When you have mold or even suspect that you do, a mold inspection from Urgent Restoration can help restore your peace of mind. You can stop worrying that mold may be causing health issues or property damage knowing that we can take care of any mold issues that you may have.
In addition to mold inspections and mold remediation, Urgent Restoration offers restoration services for:
- Residential water damage
- Commercial water damage
- Smoke damage
- Fire damage
We have locations in Lakeland, Polk city, Winter Haven, Plant City, Barstow, and Auburndale.
If a homeowners insurance claim is in order, our restoration experts can walk you through all the steps of filing the claim. The insurance company will pay us directly, so we can work with them to provide all the documentation they require to ensure that the claim is processed properly. And, once your mold remediation is completed, we will stay in contact with your insurance company to finish the process.
Whether you have an emergency or need something less urgent, we are here to help. We are on standby 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We understand just how important the health of your family and home are, and we want to help you with whatever you need as soon as possible.
Our goal is to always get your home back to normal as quickly as possible – so that your life can get back to normal.
If you need a mold inspection, mold remediation, or emergency restoration services for water or fire damage, contact Urgent Restoration.
Aaron Iannuzzi is the owner of Urgent Restoration with over a decade of experience in the restoration industry. Aaron started Urgent Restoration in 2018 and has locations in Florida and Georgia. The company specializes in water damage restoration, mold remediation, fire remediation and more. Aaron and his team of experienced technicians are proud to serve their communities to restore their homes and businesses back to normal.
